Sailing Highlights - 1977 to current

2012This year may well go down in history as one of J's better years on record. The big news was the successful launch of the J/70. The first pair of J/70s launched in March with a record number of 100+ boats ordered before its maiden voyage, a feat un-equalled in J/Boats history. And, it was chosen for New York Yacht Club's US Qualifying Series for a fleet of dozen boats, plus its second one-design regatta was held in Annapolis, MD with DIESEL winning over 24 other boats. By end of the year, over 300 boats are on order and 40 boats are sailing Key West Race Week in January 2013. J/111 is VOILES Magazine's BOAT OF THE YEAR 2012 and it's chosen YACHTS & YACHTING'S READER'S YACHT OF THE YEAR! J/111s win Sydney, Australia's Short Ocean Series (JAKE), take 2nd at Key West Race Week (MENTAL), win IRC class in Warsash Spring Series (J-DREAM), win IRC Class in North Sea Regatta (XCENTRIC RIPPER), are 1-2-3 in PHRF B in Charleston Race Week (WICKED 2.0/ FLEETWING/ VELOCITY), wins Marstrand Big Boat Race in IRC Class (BLUR), wins epic Round Island Race in IRC Class (J-DREAM), take 9 of top 10 in Chicago-Mackinac Race ORR Handicap OVERALL (first time ever by any class of boat) and KASHMIR is awarded the Mackinac Trophy as Overall Winner, wins Bayview-Mackinac Race PHRF C class (NO SURPRISE), wins Nova Scotia Opener Regatta in Halifax, wins Bayview Regatta in Detroit, wins Tri-State Race Overall (MENTAL), 1st overall PHRF Class in Chester Race Week- Nova Scotia (BLAST), is third overall in Tjorn-Runt Race in Sweden (BLUR III sailing in largest race in Sweden with 436 boats!), wins Nova Scotia Offshore Championship overall (BLAST) and wins Netherlands IRC Championship Overall (J-XCENTRIC RIPPER). J/111's sail one-design at SPI Ouest France Regatta, Cowes Race Week, Chicago-Mackinac Race, Verve Cup, Chicago SW NOOD Regatta, Annapolis SW NOOD Regatta, Ugotta Regatta/ Harbor Springs, Vice Admiral's Cup and GARMIN Hamble Winter Series. J/145 wins San Diego YC's "Yacht of the Year 2011" (BAD PAK) for her epic offshore racing success and takes PHRF A in the Newport-Ensenada Race (RADIO FLYER). J/133 JIVARO wins Tour de Belle'Ile off La Trinite sur Mer, France over 600+ boats and HOT WATER smokes IRC Canadian Championship. J/125s crush Puerto Vallarta and Cabo Races, DOUBLE TROUBLE "three-peats" Spinnaker Cup and Big Boat Series in San Francisco, California, and DOUBLE TROUBLE crushes TransPac Pacific Cup overall. J/122s continue to win, taking Key West Race Week PHRF A (TEAMWORK), wins Corsica Race in IRC (650nm sailed by CHRISTINA III), wins Block Island Race and STC Stamford-Vineyard Race (CHRISTOPHER DRAGON), takes 3rd in St Tropez 900 Race (900nm sailed by NOISY OYSTER), 1st & 2nd in US IRC Championships (WINGS & CHRIS DRAGON), 2nd class in RORC North Sea Race, win Rolex Middle Sea Race IRC Class (ARTIE RTFX) again, win Garmin Hamble Winter Series IRC 1 (JOLOU) and in Australia (LITHIUM). The J/120 EL OCASO does another "Caribbean Tour" and walks off with every major regatta, winning class at St Maarten, Rolex St Thomas, BVI and Antigua Race Weeks. J/109s and J/105 sweep Round Ireland 700nm race overall and in IRC 3 class; sweep IRC 2 Class at CORK Week in Cork, Ireland; and sweep French Pornic Cup Race to Gijon, Spain. J/97s continue their winning ways, taking Warsash Spring Series IRC class, Cowes Week IRC Class, Scottish Race Week, 2nd in Garmin Hamble Winter Series, SAILING FOR JESUS wins class in the Hermano Runt in Sweden and KNOCKABOUT wins in Sydney, Australia. In the one-design world, the J/105 class continues to expand into South America and is growing in Chile with its first South American Championships off Algarrobo, Chile on the Pacific coast. And, J/105s had an unprecedented four regattas in a row in Southern California, with San Diego YC hosting the Southern California Championships, North American Championships, International Masters Championship and the Lipton Cup in October/November-- the first two events featured new J/105 owner- Mr America's Cup- Dennis Conner! The J/22 Worlds were sailed in Le Crouesty, France and won by a Frenchman (Jean Queveau) for the first time ever. The J/24 Worlds had a record turn-out in Rochester, New York (over 100 boats) with Brazilian Mauricio Santa Cruz winning an unprecedented fourth worlds (just one away from Ken Read's famous mark of five J/24 Worlds!). The J/80 Worlds were sailed in Dartmouth, England and the Spanish teams, yet again, sweep with Jose Maria van der Ploeg on NILFISK winning. The J/80s also hosted the World Police Sailing Championships in Hong Kong, China.

2011As the world economy continued to bounce along and slowly improve, the prospects for J sailors continually improved. The successful introduction of the J/111 led to world-acclaim and to some remarkable performances offshore. For starters, the J/111 KONTIKI V wins Key West Race Week in PHRF A; INVISIBLE HAND was 2nd in ORR Class D and 3rd in fleet in Cabo Race (after winning most of the race!); VELOCITY gets 2nd in Charleston Race Week PHRF B; SHMOKING JOE wins IRC Class in its maiden voyage on the famous Round Island Race and 5th overall in 450 boat IRC Class (the famous America's Cup Course around the Isle of Wight- England); JAKE wins its maiden voyage in Sydney, Australia in the Short Offshore Points Series; J/111s win both the Chicago-Mackinac Race (KASHMIR) in class and sweep the Bayview-Mackinac Race (NO SURPRISE); and J/111 gets third overall in the RORC Fastnet Race Double-handed Class (J-XCENTRIC was winning with 100 meters to go at the finish line, but wind died and they "parked" for 7 hours before finishing!). The J/145 BAD PAK gets 2nd class C and 4th in fleet in the Cabo Race, later wins the Ensenada Race and also the TransPac Race in Division 4! J/145 also wins Hong Kong- San Fernando Race to the Phillipines. J/122s continued their winning ways, taking the Fastnet Race IRC 2 class (the French NUTMEG IV) and, for the 3rd time, wins the Storm Trysail Club's Stamford-Vineyard Race (CHRISTOPHER DRAGON) and again takes the IRC East Coasts in Annapolis, Maryland (CATAPULT)! The J/109 wins Double-handed Farallones Race off San Francisco, the Vancouver Isle 360 Race of 800nm+ off Vancouver, BC, the Lake Ontario 300 race (300nm) and the Bayview-Mackinac Race-- plus it's the Irish IRC Boat of the Year! The J/97 wins SPI Ouest France and JIKA-JIKA wins Cowes Week and J/97 is also selected RORC's IRC Boat of the Year! In the one-design world, the J/22 Women's Worlds sailed in Rochester, New York was won by local sailor Cory Sertl. The J/22 Worlds sailed in New Orleans, is won by Rob Johnston from Heath, Texas. The J/24 Worlds were sailed in Buenos Aires, Argentina and won by the Argentinean Team LUCA with skipper Alejo Rigoni. And, in the J/24 Pan Am Games, past J/24 World Champion Mauricio Santa Cruz from Brazil wins the Gold Medal. The J/80 Worlds were held in Copenhagen, Denmark with Spanish teams sweeping the top three, again, with Ignacio Camino winning a second time on NEXTEL ENGINEERING. And, the J/80 North Americans were again won by Glenn Darden on LE TIGRE. Plus, J/80 wins BEST SAILBOAT AWARD UNDER 40 FEET at the Shanghai China Boatshow.

2010The year of 2010 was characterized by an on-going recession worldwide, but unlike its competitors in the sailing industry, the J/Team continued to execute and expand the business worldwide. Two more new models were launched in 2010- the J/111 one-design speedster and the J/108 shoal performance cruiser. The J/111 was launched in August by CCF Composites in Bristol, Rhode Island and after a successful fall boatshow circuit in Newport and Annapolis, it garners the SAILING WORLD BOAT OF THE YEAR "Best One-Design Keelboat" Award and SAIL Magazine BEST BOATS AWARD - Performance Category-- the second year in a row that a J/Design has won the category! The J/108 was launched in October in Les Sables d'Olonne, France by JB Composites, the next generation of performance, shoal-draft cruising boats in the line after the successful introduction of the J/95. In the offshore sailing world, the J/122s win both racing divisions in the Chicago-Mackinac Race, the first and only time that feat has ever been accomplished, with FLYING JENNY IV winning the Mackinac Trophy Overall and SKYE winning the Double-handed Division. J/122s repeat winning the Storm Trysail Club Stamford-Vineyard Race Overall, the IRC East Coasts in Annapolis and the Rolex Middle Sea Race off Malta. Plus, the J/122s were winning in Australia, winning the IRC 1 Class offshore in Sydney Harbour series. The classic J/125s win Key West Race Week, Coastal Cup off California and the Cabo Race to Mexico. And, the Queen of the J/Fleet, the J/65 BRAND NEW DAY wins Bermuda Race Class serving home-cooked meals with red wine and cold white wine from the on-board wine cooler each night and sailing in air-conditioned comfort "off-watch" below decks! In the one-design world, the Americans re-assert their domination atop the J/24 class with American Tim Healy winning the J/24 Worlds in Malmo, Sweden (America's Cup sailor Ed Baird last won it there in 1981!). A number of J/80 regattas in France and Spain affected by the monstrous volcanic ash cloud that swept across Europe in April, affecting traffic everywhere. This didn't stop the Spanish from, again, winning a very windy, epic J/80 Worlds in Newport, RI with Spaniard Pichu Torcida taking it for a second time!

2009The year of 2009 was marked by a continuing, persistent economic climate that bordered on "heavy recession", particularly in North America and Europe. The Asian and South American markets maintained a relative degree of prosperity by comparison. Nevertheless, 2009 was a remarkable year for the J/Team worldwide. For the first time ever, J/Boats introduced three new models in one year- the J/95 and J/97 in the spring and the J/111 in the fall. Launched in April in Bristol, Rhode Island by CCF Composites, the J/95 was the first shoal-draft performance cruising sailboat ever launched by J/Boats. With twin-rudders, wheel-steering and a fully-functioning keel-centerboard, the J/95 broke new ground. And, it won a lot of hearts, selling nearly two dozen boats by year-end and winning the first "triple-crown" of sailing industry awards ever-- the CRUISING WORLD BOAT OF THE YEAR, the SAILING WORLD BOAT OF THE YEAR and the SAIL BEST BOATS "Performance Cruising" Category. In the first weekend of May, the performance IRC cruiser-racer J/97 was launched by JB Composites in Les Sables d'Olonne, France. The J/97 open, innovative interior design, aft head, six foot standing headroom and sleeping for six made it an immediate success in the European market. J/97 quickly demonstrated its capabilities offshore, sweeping its class in Cowes Week in August. Later in the fall, the somewhat revolutionary J/111 was first announced to the world and by year-end over 25 boats had been sold-- the most successful launch of a new 35 foot boat ever by J/Boats! On the sailing front, the J/122 J-BELLINO sailed by Rob Craigie from England wins the 2009 OSTAR. Plus, the J/105 KING OF SHAVES sailed by Oscare Meade was 2nd his class and youngest finisher ever in this 2,900nm race. The J/122s continued to win many offshore contests, including a three-peat in the Chicago-Mackinac Race. The J/122 SKYE led a sweep of the Chicago-Mac Double-handed Division, with a J/35 and J/29 coming in 2nd and 3rd, respectively! Other big J's continued to perform as well, with the J/133 BATFISH taking the RORC Offshore Season Points Championship Overall! In the one-design world, the balance of power in the major J one-design classes had clearly moved away from the Americans. J/24s held their Worlds in Annapolis in May with Brazilian Mauricio Santa Cruz winning his 3rd Worlds title. The J/22 Worlds were held on Lago di Garda, Italy in June and the Dutch teams from the Netherlands swept all top three spots. The J/80s had a record 133 boats for their Worlds in Santander, Spain in July which saw all top three spots swept by the Spanish teams.

2008Despite the economy slowing down, it was another great year of sailing for J owners. Starting with Key West, good turnouts for the J/80, J/105 and J/109s all hosting their Midwinters. Of the six handicap divisions that included at least one J Boat (5 PHRF divisions and 1 IRC division), J owners dominated the leader board, winning 44% of the top three class trophies. Experienced offshore sailor Ned Cabot recently published a story of the latest adventure aboard his J/46 ‘Cielita’ in Ocean Navigator magazine (Jan/Feb ’08 issue). The J/24 celebrated its 30th birthday at the J/24 Midwinters with 42 teams sailing a tough 11 race, no throw-out series- brothers Waldek and Chris Zaleski aboard TWINS won-- they also won the J/24 Nationals later in the year! Waterline Systems officially started building the J/105. 32 J/109s had a fun time sailing the J/UK J/109 Nationals. For the STC Bermuda Race, J owners turned out in record numbers and represented 22% of the 210 boat fleet - the first time J has surpassed Swan (14%) for the most popular brand/design in a Bermuda Race. And, J owners made the most of it. 52% of the top 25 overall finishers sailing IRC were J’s, and owners collected 26% of the top three places in all divisions and overall combined. Andrea Casale of Italy won the J/24 World Championship with 76 boats and an incredible 17 countries represented. Philippe Delaporte’s J/122 PEN AZEN was named the 2008 Yacht of the Year by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, dominating the IRC Classes in most all events. This success in IRC was repeated by the J/122 TKO winning Rolex Big Boat Series in San Francisco. Greg Fisher of Annapolis, MD won the J/22 World Championship in Rochester, NY over a record 103 sailing teams. Over in the Mediterranean, the J/133 CHESTRESS won IRC Class 3 and a 2nd Overall in the 2008 Rolex Middle Sea Race. 8 teams from 8 countries sailed the first International J/80 Invitational Regatta in Xiamen, China-- the first ever J/80 one-design event in the Pacific Rim

2007A record year for J/Boat owners with major offshore racing wins across the US and Europe. The introduction of the new J/122 built by J/Europe taking the IRC circuit in France, the UK, the Netherlands and the USA by storm achieving several overall wins both inshore and offshore. J/Boat owners are class and overall champions of numerous offshore events including Ft. Lauderdale-Key West Race, Pineapple Cup, Bayview Mac Race, Annapolis-Newport Race, Charleston Bermuda Race, Transpac, Chicago Mac, and several RORC offshore races. J/133 is awarded “Best Series Produced Yacht” and J/122 wins IRC 1 class overall for the entire season in the 2007 RORC series. J/80 production races by the 1,000 hull milestone with over 1050 boats built. A record 120 J/80s sail at the World Championships in La Trinite France. The J/105 Class sets attendance records on both US coasts culminating in a 69 boat fleet at the North American Champs in Annapolis. J/105 also wins RORC 2-handed season trophy. J/109 class activity thrives in the US and UK. Clay Burkhalter successfully sails his Rod Johnstone designed Mini 6.5 ‘Acadia’ across the Atlantic from France to Brazil finishing 12th overall out of 89 entries. The J/80 debuts at the Asian Sportboat Championship placing 1st and 2nd overall. J/Europe increases factory capacity by 40% thanks to increasing demand worldwide for new J/Boats. Several J/Owners actively engaged cruising their boats through the oceans of the world. Congratulations to J/Owners for an incredible year!

2006 The J/92S makes its USA debut. The J/100 reaches 100 boat milestone and production begins in Europe. New 40’ J/122 development begins with J/Europe. J/ owners win 12 trophies in the Centennial Newport to Bermuda Race with the J/44 and J/42 classes the largest in the fleet. Glenn Darden captures the J/80 World title in Galveston Bay, TX, while fellow Texan Jon Halbert wins the inaugural J/109 North American Championships at New York Yacht Club. J/109 and double-handed J/105 finish 1-2 in Rolex Middle Sea Race. The York family completes a circumnavigation aboard their J/46 Aragorn. The J/22 North Americans returns to Fleet #1 Lake Minnetonka, MN with Terry Flynn crowned champion. The J/80 reaches 900 boat milestone and new fleets are established in Spain & Italy. The J/105 is awarded the Serendip Trophy for the Best Series-Produced Yacht in IRC by RORC for 2006 and Shaun Murphy’s Slingshot is named RORC 2006 Yacht of the Year and wins the Somerset Memorial Trophy for outstanding achievement of a 2-handed yacht. The J/122 is introduced and displayed at the Paris Show to rave reviews with a December launch in Hamble, UK and successful sea-trials.

2005 The new J/65 launches in San Diego. Scotsman Ruairidh Scott wins the Silva J/80 Worlds in Falmouth, UK. The J/105 class sets new milestones with a 40 boat fleet at Key West and the first Canadian hosting of a North American Championship. The J/100 rolls out of the factory at nearly 2 boats per week to meet the high demand. The J/133 notches impressive IRC class wins at Spi Ouest and Block Island Race Week. The rapidly growing J/109 class sees one-design starts at Spi Ouest, Block Island and Cowes Week. Anthony Kotoun of Newport, RI wins the J/24 Worlds in Weymouth, England and the J/24 North Americans in Marblehead, MA. The new J/92S, a family-friendly sprit boat with large cockpit and non-overlapping headsail launches in Europe. J/125 'Rienrag' takes class honors again in the Transpac. Sally Barkow wins the Rolex Int’l Women’s Keelboat Champs in J/22s in Annapolis, and the Women's Match Racing Worlds in J/24's in Bermuda. Henry Morgan, sailing his J/42 'Dolphin', wins the Annapolis-Bermuda Race fleet. Short-handed J-sailors celebrate as Pascal Loison wins the 2-Handed Rolex Fastnet Race in his J/105 and Sam and Gordon Vineyard win Marion- to Bermuda Race in their J/46. The new J/124, a 41’ follow-up sensation to the J/100, launches in Rhode Island.

2004 The J/133 Raincloud wins its debut regatta at Key West and production begins in both the US and France. J109s sweep IRC 4 at Spi Ouest, the UK J/109 Jeronimo is on the winning team of the Rolex Commodore’s Cup, and the J/109 class gets underway with 11 fleets formed, a class website and several class events held. Alec Cutler wins the J/22 Worlds in Annapolis over a fleet of 130 boats, an all-time J attendance record! Three J’s (J/35, J/46 and J/160) set sail in the 2004 Blue Water World Rally. The new J/100 (33’) is launched in Newport to rave reviews, is named Sailing World Magazine’s Overall Boat of the Year, and quickly reaches a six month backlog. J/145s enjoy class wins in the Newport to Bermuda and Port Huron-Mackinac races. Dave McConaughy wins the 25th Anniversary J/30 North Americans in Barrington, RI. Glen Darden of TX wins both the J/80 North Americans in Sag Harbor, NY and the 52 boat J/105 North Americans in Marion, MA. Wow! Jens Hookanson outduels Jeff Johnstone on the last leg of the final race to win the J/24 Worlds in Noroton, CT. The new J/65 (65‘) is announced as J Boats’ entry into the luxury performance sailing market with a custom bay set up at Pearson Composites and a highly anticipated 05 launching.

2003 The J/24 class celebrates its Silver 25th Anniversary in Newport, while the J/35 class has its 20th in Toronto with 27 boats racing for the North American Championship. The J/105 class continues to set attendance records and is the only class present at all 9 NOOD Regattas. Dr. Mike Finn’s J/160 ‘Kativa’ wins the Charleston to Bermuda Race; J/125 'Rienrag' that takes line and class honors for Division 3 in the Tranpac. J/42 owners create a new owner association. J/Boats continue to thrive under IRC with J/145 winning the Overall IRC Season Championship in UK (1-2 in class at Fastnet), and the J/109 winning its class at Fastnet as well as at Cowes and Spi Ouest. J/Europe is formed as new European builder (France). Jay Lutz wins J/80 Worlds in Fort Worth Texas as class breaks the hull #600 barrier. Sally Barkow wins the Rolex Women’s Keelboat Champs in J/22s in Annapolis. J/133 is awarded the Overall Boat of the Year award by Sailing World Magazine and Best Performance Cruiser by Cruising World.

2002 J/109 results roll in all year with wins at Spi-Ouest, Cowes Week, Breskens Race Week, Double-handed Round Britain Race and the prestigious Atlantic Trophy. J/109 plugs are shipped to the US and TPI begins production. ISAF selects the J/22 (women’s keelboat division) and J/80 (men’s keelboat division) for the World Sailing Games in Marseilles. J/105 explosion continues with 50 boats at the North Americans in Chicago, hull #600 built, and selected for UBS Challenge Pro Match-Racing. J/80 earns class start at Kiel Week and J/80 Worlds are held in La Rochelle, France. The J/Fest Regatta Series goes national with sponsors and five great events. Brad Read wins J/24 Worlds on its return to Newport. J/109 and J/105 are 1st and 2nd overall in Rolex Middle Sea Race. Terry Flynn wins 60-boat J/22 Worlds in Texas.

2001 J/145 is selected as a Sail Magazine Top 10 winner and wins class at Key West. J/80 class hosts its first World Championships in Newport. J Boats introduces the 35’ J/109 in Europe. Waterline Systems begins building J/22s, helping to revitalize J/22 class growth. J/130 BONKERS is overall winner in the Pineapple Cup race to Jamaica. J/160s win in Newport-Ensenada, Puerto-Vallarta, Marblehead-Halifax and Swiftsure races. J/125 wins overall at Middle Sea Race in Malta. The Rolex Int’l Women’s Keelboat Champs is held in J22s in Annapolis, with Cory Sertl’s team crowned champion.

2000 J/46 earns double honors, first as a Sail Magazine Top 10 winner; and as a category winner in Sailing World Magazine's Boat of the Year Awards. New carbon fiber J/145 (48') is launched. 92 boats attend the J/22 Worlds in Holland. J/105 production accelerates with hull #400 launched and European production underway. Waterline Systems becomes new US builder for J/24 and the World Championship returns to Newport for its 22nd running. New "L" version (L for liveaboard) is introduced for the popular J/42.

1999 J/35 inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame ceremonies in Atlantic City. J/125 wins "Sportboat of the Year" from Sailing World. J/120 J BIRD clean sweeps the Puerta-Vallarta race with 1st to finish, 1st in class and 1st overall- only the 3rd boat in history to do so (other two were 70' sleds). J/46 performance-cruising yacht is launched. J/22 featured in Santa-Maria Cup (women's match racing) and for the ISAF Women's Match Racing Worlds. J/30 and J/35 classes combine efforts to run their 20th and 15th North American Championships in Annapolis. 25 J/105s sail one design at Block Island. Over 275 J/105s now sailing in 15 fleets worldwide. The Rolex Int'l Women's Keelboat Champs return to Newport in J/24s.

1998 J/160 PIPEDREAM wins Round-the-World Rally (American division) with a crew of five. Owner Scott Piper departs on cruise around the world in opposite direction! High tech built J/90 and J/125 usher in new wave of technology - carbon composite construction with 50% ballast/displacement ratios. J/90 wins "Sportboat of the Year" from Sailing World. J/125 wins at Block Island Race Week and St. Francis Big Boat Series. J/120s sweep top 3 spots in Newport to Ensenada Race. J/22 featured in ISAF World Championship in Dubai for women's match-racing and fleet disciplines. US Master's Championship held in J/105s in San Francisco. J/80 becomes fastest growing one-design in Sweden with 20 boats sailing. J/120 reaches hull #100, with 28 boats sailing in Southern California.

1997 100 J/24s attend the 20th anniversary J/24 Midwinters in Key West, Florida. Johnstone Family receives The Industry Leadership Award from SAIL Magazine. Harry Smith wins 1100nm Marina Del Rey to Puerto-Vallarta Race on his J/160 'Bushwacker' and J/160 Hull #3 PIPEDREAM begins the 'Round the World Rally'. The Moorings Company purchases a fleet of J/120s for an innovative "race weeks" charter program in Tortola.

1996 The first two of six J/160s are launched in early May. These deluxe flagships go on to win several offshore point-to-point races including a course record from Annapolis to Bermuda! J/44 Class returns for the 1996 Bermuda Race in force with 11 starters. J/105 reaches critical mass for class racing throughout the US with over 165 boats numerous regional events and a successful North American Championship. The new production J/32 Cruiser, designed by Alan Johnstone, is launched in July with over 20 sold in the first six months. J/Boats web site is expanded with a growing on-line class association presence, owner forums and monthly updates.

1995 J/120 named Cruising World Magazine's Overall Boat-of-the-Year and Best Value in a Full-Size Cruiser. J/24 is first of five inductees into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame. J/130 STARLIGHT EXPRESS takes line honors in Newport-Ensenada Race. New J/42 Cruiser is introduced. Hull #1 GANNET wins two New York Yacht Club events and Class A Downeast Racing Circuit with a cruising asymmetric spinnaker and short-handed crew. J/35 class rebounds in participation with 35 entries at its North American Championship. J/105s are featured on ESPN in the Brut Cup professional match-racing circuit. J Composite of France begins European production of the J/80 and J/92.

1992 J/105 becomes Sailing World's Boat-of-the-Year among racer-cruisers, and ushers in the sport boat revolution. J/92 is introduced and destined for the 1992 Readers Choice Award from Sailing World. J/24 #5000 and J/35 #300 are launched. Rod Johnstone is inducted into the Sailing World Hall of Fame.

1991 Nick Brown's J/44 IONA wins Fastnet in IMS. Fortune Magazine names J Boats as one of the world's 100 best American made products. J/39s and J/35s sweep top 4 positions in CHS at Cowes Week. J Boats pioneers carbon-fiber retractable bowsprits and asymmetric spinnakers on offshore boats, introducing the first of its new "sprit" series, the J/105.

1978 20 boats attend first J/24 one-design event at Key West. 68 boats attend North Americans in Newport. 1000 boats are sold with builders set up in UK, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and US West Coast where Trask family joins Johnstones to build J/24's.